If your home has a gas furnace, it’s important to learn how to be aware of potential problems to prevent unexpected breakdowns or inefficient operation. Troubleshooting your gas furnace can help you to avoid costly repair bills that may arise if potential issues are left undiscovered.

Turning On Your Gas Furnace

Typically, a gas furnace is operated through the same thermostat as the air conditioner. This means that when the weather turns cold, you can simply turn your thermostat to the 'warm’ or 'heat’ setting and then adjust the temperature to your liking.

Inspecting and Replacing Your Furnace Filter

Before beginning, it's important to turn the power off to the unit. Many furnaces have electrical components near the filter. Open the cover of the unit and then remove the filter. You can use a vacuum to clean the surface dust from a plastic filter, then simply wash it and dry it before replacing it. Always operate the furnace with a filter in place. You will need to replace a paper filter every few months, or as recommended by the filter manufacturer.

Checking Airflow

Check each room in your home by feeling for the airflow that comes from the vents. If airflow is insufficient to areas of your home, you should have an M/R Plumbing heating technician check your ducts to ensure they are properly sized for air delivery throughout your home.

If Your Gas Furnace Will Not Ignite

A inoperable pilot light is one of the main reasons that a gas furnace will fail to ignite. To ignite the pilot, turn the gas cock off and then push the pilot reset button while turning the cock to 'pilot’. Get a match and light it, then hold it near the furnace pilot to relight it.

Heating System Maintenance

Cleaning the system every couple of years helps the unit to run more efficiently and last longer. During an annual heating system inspection your technician will lubricate the furnace ports and bearings, reducing the amount of energy the unit needs to operate. Your technician will also clean the furnace burners if they appear dirty.

Air Vent Blockages

Cleaning the vents and ducts will remove blockages that can interfere with heat flow in the home. In the winter, ice can block the outdoor vents. Make sure to turn off the unit before you attempt to remove the ice.

Sealing Air Leaks To Prevent Heat Loss

If you notice air leaks in your ventilation system, seal off any gaps. In addition, placing weather stripping around doors and windows will keep your home from losing heat, which makes your furnace run more often.

What To Do If You Smell Gas

If you ever smell gas coming from the furnace, leave the area and call your gas company right away. Avoid lighting matches or using any electrical appliances until you are safely away from the area.

When it's time to replace your old furnace you may have a lot of questions about which new furnace is right right for your home. There are three different types of furnace : gas, oil, and electric. Depending on your particular home heating needs, you may find that one type is more suitable for your household than another type. Learning about each furnace style can help you to decide which model to purchase.

Types of Furnaces

Each furnace type operates on a different energy source and there are advantages and disadvantages to each model. Oil furnaces can last for up to 30 years with proper maintenance, which makes them a great choice if you are planning on staying in your home for a long period of time. Oil furnaces also tend to be safer, since the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is quite low.

Gas furnaces have become very reliable, since they run on a natural gas, they cannot be interrupted by typical electrical shortages. However, gas furnaces have the potential threat of a gas leak that can be harmful to a home's inhabitants. Compared to electric furnaces, gas furnaces are less expensive to operate on average, but only last for 12 to 15 years.

Electric furnaces are longer lasting, running up to 30 years. Since these furnaces run on electrical power, a power outage will shut them off and the cost of operating them will increase your power bill. One of the benefits of electric furnaces, however, is that they pose no safety risk since they do not rely on fuel.

Choosing the Right Furnace for Your Home

How do you know when it’s time to replace your current furnace? Typically, if it is at least 15 years old, it’s a good idea to consider replacing it with a newer model. This is because new models are manufactured with improved energy efficiency, which can save you money on your home’s heating bill. Another reason to update your furnace is, even if you have a newer furnace model, you may need a new system if your current unit is not adequately heating your home.

Energy Star Furnaces

One of the most important considerations when choosing a home furnace is energy efficiency. If you select an Energy Star-approved model, you’ll save on your energy use and your utility bill. It is also important that you select a certified installation technician who will make sure that you select a furnace that can meet your home’s daily needs. If you select a furnace that is too small for your home, you may experience areas with not enough heat, or need to run the unit more often to reach an acceptable level of comfort.

Choose An Experienced Technician

By discussing your unique needs with an experienced professional, you can be sure that you're getting the best type of furnace for your home’s needs, and that it will be installed properly and safely.

Have questions about choosing the right furnace for your home? Call MR Plumbing, our experienced Home Comfort Specialists can help. They’ll study your home, listen to your concerns, explain all of your options in easy to understand language and assist you with finding the quality heating system that best meets your family’s needs.]]>tatkinson@archivegraphics.com (MR Plumbing)Heating Tips & AdviceTue, 04 Dec 2018 13:02:56 +0000Should You Repair Or Replace Your Gas Furnace?https://www.mrplumbing.com/blog/item/17-should-you-repair-or-replace-your-gas-furnace
https://www.mrplumbing.com/blog/item/17-should-you-repair-or-replace-your-gas-furnaceIf your furnace is getting up in years and needs extensive repairs, how do you decide if the advantages of installing a new furnace is a better solution than repairing the old unit and hoping it lasts through another long winter?

How long should a gas furnace last?

A recent study by the National Association of Home Builders found that gas furnaces last an average of 15 to 20 years. So consider the age of the unit when deciding whether to repair or replace. When a furnace is installed most technicians will write the year the equipment was installed right on the unit. You can also look for a metal identification plate, usually on the inside of chamber door (be sure the unit is off and cool before checking inside). Record the model and serial number, then call the manufacturer’s customer service number to obtain the date of manufacture

How much will repairing your furnace cost?

If the furnace is beyond three-quarters of its life expectancy and repairing it would cost a 1/3 or more of the amount of a new furnace, it may be more economical to replace the unit. Parts like heat exchangers can be expensive to replace, and are often a sign that the furnace is past it's expected lifespan.

Consider the energy savings of a new furnace

In these days of sky high fuel costs, it's important to factor in the efficiency of your old furnace versus a new, energy efficient unit. A standard measure of fuel efficiency is the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency number (AFUE). AFUE measures the percentage of the fuel that’s converted to heat rather than being lost through inefficiency.

If the furnace is 20 or more years old, its AFUE is probably about 70. New furnaces will have an AFUE of at least 80%, which means you’ll burn 10% less fuel, that's 10% savings of your heating bill. High efficiency furnaces go as high a 95% AFUE , which could save you 25% on your heating bill.

Other Factors to Consider

Depending on the time of year, many manufacturers offer rebates on new heating and cooling systems that could save you a significant amount on the up-front cost of purchasing a new system.

Considering whether to repair or replace your furnace? Give MR Plumbing Heating Air Electrical a call. We can help with all your home heating needs from repair and maintenance to new system installation.

]]>tatkinson@archivegraphics.com (MR Plumbing)Heating Tips & AdviceTue, 23 Oct 2018 23:47:45 +0000Energy Saving Home Heating Tips For Fallhttps://www.mrplumbing.com/blog/item/13-energy-saving-home-heating-tips-for-fall
https://www.mrplumbing.com/blog/item/13-energy-saving-home-heating-tips-for-fallHeating takes up the largest percentage of a typical household's energy use, about 42% of the typical utility bill. You can save money and increase your comfort by properly maintaining your heating system. A properly maintained heating system will not only keep your home more comfortable it will reduce the likelihood of a breakdown during the coldest time of winter, when you need it the most.

Even the most energy-efficient heating system won't have a significant impact on your heating bill if the whole-house isn't energy efficient. Good insulation, duct sealing, weather sealing windows and doors and programming your thermostat can save about 30% on your energy bill.

Here are some home heating tips to reduce energy use and make your home more comfortable:

Replace your furnace filter once a month or as recommended by the manufacturer

Program your thermostat to the lowest comfortable level, and lower when you're away from home or sleeping

Keep your air ducts clean and make sure they are nit blocked by furniture, rugs or drapes

Seal holes and gaps in air vents

During the winter keep shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill.

Use ceiling fans to improve the circulation of warm air in your living space